JOSEPH
Joseph woke to the sound of soft breathing. Katherine was in a deep sleep with her head resting on his chest. With her in his arms, he felt like a master of the universe. With everything she’d been through, all the pain, betrayal, and degradation, he was honored that she’d given him such a precious gift.
Almost thirty minutes had gone by, and Joseph was still unable to look away. Katherine was stunning; that much was certain. But she was also kind, funny, and incredibly intelligent. At school, he’d admired her from a distance. Yet, he truly hadn’t known just how beautiful she was on the inside. To him, she’d been just another rich, pretty brat. But she was so much more, and he wanted all of it.
Katherine stirred and rolled to her back. Her lids blinked open to reveal her beautiful oceanic eyes. She focused on him and smiled. “Good morning.”
Joseph lowered his head and kissed her lips. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
Katherine tucked her hair behind her ear and sat up. “What time is it?”
“Nine.”
“Has Rick called?”
“No, sweetheart, but I’m sure we’ll hear from him soon.” Katherine moved to stand, but Joseph caught her by the waist. “Where are you going?”
She giggled and tried to wriggle herself free. “I gotta pee.”
Joseph held her captive. “You gotta what?” he teased.
“Joseph!” Katherine squealed.
“Joseph!”he mocked.
She tried to wrestle her way out of his hold, but Joseph laughed and held her tight.
“I’m going to piss all over your plush carpet,” Katherine threatened.
“I usually go to dinner at my mom’s on Sundays. Will you join me?”
Katherine squirmed and tried to pry his fingers from her waist. “Joe, I have to pee.”
“Dinner?”
Katherine nodded frantically. “Yes!” she blurted with desperation.
Joseph released her and chuckled when she scurried to the bathroom. He watched her, admiring her perfect ass until she disappeared inside. He got up and went into the kitchen to make coffee, but a scream from the bathroom sent him in the other direction. Joseph twisted the knob and pushed the door open. Katherine’s face was beet-red. She was sitting on the toilet with a horrified look in her eyes.
“What happened?” Joseph asked, looking around the bathroom for whatever had made her scream.
When Katherine looked up at him, Joseph could sense that she was embarrassed.
“It burns,” she admitted with a sheepish grin. “It’s really sore.”
“Oh.” Joseph chuckled with relief. “You just need a good soak in a hot bath.”
He left the bathroom to give her some privacy. As he walked down the hall, he smiled at the knowledge that he’d done his job and made her his.
* * *
KATHERINE
Joseph used his key to open the door to his mother’s house, and she must’ve heard the door because she yelled, “Hey, you two!” from the kitchen.
“Hey, mom.”
Katherine entered the living room and made a beeline for the fireplace. On the mantle were pictures of Joseph’s family. There were pictures of a very young, very beautiful Emily with her baby boys in each arm. There were a few of Joseph and Jonathan when they were toddlers, and a few when they were teenagers. When they were younger, it was harder to tell them apart. Now, she could identify Joseph with her eyes closed.
